John Sugrue building confidence and trust in Laois

The two championship spankings Laois handed to Westmeath prior to last Saturday came in 1979 and 1991.

The winning margin in 1979 was 14 points and it was 11 in 1991. Saturday’s victory of 10 points was just as impressive.

Maybe, it was because I was a neutral that I really enjoyed the game. I stood on the sparsely populated terrace in Tullamore. I travelled in the hope that this local derby would serve up some genuine championship football. While the intensity levels only occasionally moved the needle, both teams played good, honest football. The difference was that Laois had more quality players on the pitch and in reserve; the likes of Brody, Dillon, Begley, Lillis, O’Loughlin, and the Kingstons.